Biker mom makes the dough

Poverty affects almost every element of a family’s life. It often robs children of their childhoods and can hinder strong, sustainable communities from being built.

But as shown by the story of Sam Mai and her family in Cambodia, a microloan can provide hope for something more -- an independent, self-sufficient future.

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Sam Mai is from the Stung Meanchey district, outside the city of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. After her husband died, she found herself with five children to care for, no income, and no support from family or community.

She was living on a garbage heap, scavenging through the trash to find recyclables to sell. Though she worked hard, what she could collect was not enough of an income.

This meant that all of her children had to help scavenge and sell items every day in order to survive. Time did not allow for school, and the children had to work instead of play.

One of her older sons, who is now 19 years old, got involved with the wrong group of people, staying out late at night and sniffing glue. She was worried about his fate and what the future would bring for her other children.

It wasn’t until a World Vision microfinance loan officer visited that Sam Mai decided to take matters into her own hands and put the effort into making a better life for her family.

ACT:S+Micro is a campaign to tell the story of how microloans work to change lives and communities. Be a part of the solution by signing up for our free film and starter kit.

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